Adam hid when he was afraid (I heard you, so I hid – Genesis 3:10).

The men with Daniel hid when they were afraid (The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide – Daniel 10:7).

Aaron when pressured, made an idol for the people to worship (Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded and tooled it into the shape of a calf – Exodus 32:4).

Nathaniel Hawthorne, the 19th century American novelist and author of "The Scarlet Letter," once said, “No man, for any considerable period of time, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the truth.”

A couple of years ago, I reached that point during a Christmas holiday.  I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day alone, without interacting with anyone.  It was partially by choice, partially due to weather conditions (I was snowed in], and partially a need to spend time alone with the Lord. 

Through my isolation, I had only the Lord to look to.  I slowly came out from behind my wall, sat quietly in the warmth of His love and shared my heart with the Lord, but more importantly, I listened for His voice.

I can’t say that I “heard Him audibly” or “received implicit instructions on my future,” but I can say that I felt that He smiled at me.  And, when I turned back to live behind my wall, it looked a whole lot different, not as “homey” as it used to be.  My “fine” and “good” were no longer that, and my “expected” performance was no longer my goal.  I found that I needed to remodel my “home” and tear down those walls and open myself up to more “spiritual” light.

The Lord calls each one of us as He did with Adam, “… where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). Are you going to answer Him?

Take a look around.  Are your walls closing in?  Do you feel isolated?  Do you feel alone, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually?  Maybe it’s time for you to make some “home improvements.”  Maybe the sharing that we are so used to hearing about this time of year means sharing of ourselves (more deeply) with others.
 
Before you buy one more gift or put up one more decoration, take a moment to unwrap a present – the one that God gave us thousands of years ago.  He waits patiently for you to open the gift of His Son and receive His love.  He wants you to be who you were created to be.  And not an actor "on a stage" in the story of your life.

Cliff Young is a contributing writer to "Sandlot Stories" (ARose Books).  An architect and former youth worker, he now works with Christian musicians and consults for a number of Christian ministries. Got feedback?  Send your comments and questions to CYdmg@yahoo.com.